Encouraging other believers

         -A Conversation of Grace

The plane was only half full and I had a row of seats to myself. I was thinking I could relax and unwind from my visit with a client there in Lafayette. When it was nearly time to close the doors I saw the flight attendant take an elderly lady to her seat. The lady was frail with white hair and she was keeping her head down and I could see she was crying.

Like the nosy person I am, I asked the flight attendant what the problem was. She responded that the lady was just a little nervous. I asked her if there was anything I could do and the flight attendant said no - she will be fine. So I asked if she minded if I changed seats and sat next to the little lady. She said that was not a problem if I wanted to go ahead, but there was nothing I could do.

I walked back to where the lady was and asked if I could sit next to her and she said okay. I asked her if she was alright and if there was anything I could do for her. She politely told me that she was fine. She went on to say she was very afraid of flying and the only reason she forced herself to get on the plane was that her son and daughter-in-law had just died in a fire and she had to take the plane to get there in time for the funeral.

About that time the plane started to take off so and the lady started crying harder and clenching her hands in fear. I reached for her hand and asked if she minded if I held her hand. She said she would appreciate it. I then asked her if she believed in God. She indicated that she had a strong faith. So I asked her “why are you afraid to fly, what is the worst that could happen”? She said the worst that could happen is the plane could crash or explode in mid air. I asked her if that happened where would she be. She said she would be in heaven with the Lord. So I asked her then what do you need to be afraid of. She had to admit that she did not know. She relaxed her hands and we started talking about her family. Every time we hit turbulence she would start hold on to the arm rest and her knuckles would get white. Each time I would reach over and take her hand. When we landed I helped her find her next departure gate. She thanked me for being kind and I reminded her that on the next leg of her journey she did not have to be afraid, just to remember that when she is in the air she was even closer to God.

It is not only important to lead unbelievers to God, but sometimes it is important to remind people who know Him very well that He is with them always, especially when they are in times of trouble, pain or fear.

Anonymous

Do you have a personal witnessing experience you would like to share with others? Please contact Martie Dunnett, Pay Sheehy, or Bill Pfancuff.